CHAPTER XV. 



RHYNCHOPIIORA, OR WEEVILS {roi/tiinted). 



On Plate III. p. 2 may be seen a very curious Beetle, called 

 Ci/ljlius Linnwi. This belongs to tlie family Cypliidie, which 

 contains more beautifully coloured species than any other 

 family of Beetles, not even excepting the Entimidte. The name 

 Cyphiis is Greek, signifying "hunchback," and is given to these 

 Beetles because their shoulders are very high and thick. They 

 are natives of South America, especially the districts within 

 the tropics. 



The present species is very remarkable on account of the long 

 hair which covers the thorax, and which, together witli the 

 peculiar shape and spotted body, gives to the Beetle an air 

 resembling the well-known wingless ants called Mutilla?. This 

 hair is deep brown, and of a peculiarly soft, chinchilla-like 

 character. The ground colour of the elytra is black, with a 

 s^elvety sort of surface, and on it are placed a number of spots 

 arranged as shown in the illustration on the next page. The 

 large spot over the shoulder is bright red, and all the others are 

 yellow, so that the insect is an exceedingly handsome one. 



The last-mentioned species is of rather an exceptional cha- 

 racter, so I have here taken one which is a good example of the 

 ordinary form and colouring of this most splendid genus. Its 

 name is Cyphus glorianclus. Viewed with the naked eye, it is a 

 very beautiful insect, the surface being golden yellow, diversified 

 with jetty-black marks. Its full beauty, however, cannot be 

 appreciated without the aid of the microscope, and I shall thei-e- 

 fore describe one of these insects as seen with the aid of the 

 half-inch object glass. 



If the microscope be directed on the ui)por sutfnce of the 



